Are the elections worth it? A conversation with Altaf Qureshi, founder of the Urdu Digest

News

December 26, 2007

Author: Haroon Ullah, Former Research Fellow, The Dubai Initiative

Belfer Center Programs or Projects: Project on India and the Subcontinent

I had a chance to sit down and have tea with Altaf Qureshi, the founder of the Urdu Digest. Qureshi started the Urdu Digest, a monthly magazine, in 1959, and since then has grown into one of the most widely read Urdu publications and a mainstay of Pakistani intelligentsia. The Urdu Digest, akin to the Reader's Digest in North America, has analysis and commentary on a variety of issues including the political situation in the country. Many of have commented that Qureshi has an acute sense of the pulse of the nation, himself coming from a small village and very humble background, and through education and experience turning himself into one of the nation's most prolific and intellectual writers.

Regarding the elections, Qureshi noted that it still faced an uphill battle. Many have questioned whether the elections will be able to be fair with the current restraints and the role of the PML-Q. Recently the Citizens Group of Electoral Process (CGEP) decided that on most counts the pre election fairness has failed in Pakistan. Qureshi acknowledged these difficulties such as weak election management, the role of the police in protests and media restrictions. Nevertheless he remained optimistic concerning the electoral process, commenting that there was a building grassroots movement among the 'awam' (people) and that the elections was just the first step in that process. Things are now moving in motion in a way that will be good for the long term health of the country.

When asked about the various parties and their chances, he asserted that he thought Nawaz Sharif may be in the most advantageous position. He noted having just met Nawaz Sharif two days earlier and talking to him about the upcoming elections. He commented that many view Bhutto as having a potential deal in place with Musharraf and the PML-Q, and that in the media she alternates between critiquing Musharraf on the one hand, and then reaffirming being able to work with him on the other hand. Sharif has been able to take a stronger stance regarding the judiciary and the current government leadership.
Another thing he commented on was the need for political parties to focus on the real issues affecting the common Pakistani, such as the rising prices of flour, rice, natural gas, diesel and petroleum. He said that the increasing costs of these everyday purchases were affecting a majority of Pakistanis. For example, the price of basmati rice has risen from 50 rupees per kg to nearly 70-75 rupees per kg over the last two months. This a common staple for many families He noted that the party that is able to remind voters that they have a plan in mind to tackle these economic issues will also be able to gain cross-cutting support.

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